And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.
JUDGES 3:25KJVWhat does Judges 3:25 mean?
Judges 3:25 describes how the servants of Eglon, the king of Moab, waited outside his private room until they were embarrassed by the delay. When Eglon did not open the doors, they unlocked them and found their master dead on the floor.
This verse is part of the story where Ehud, an Israelite judge, secretly kills King Eglon. The servants, thinking Eglon is simply occupied, hesitate to enter the room. Their growing shame and eventual decision to unlock the doors set the stage for Ehud’s escape and highlight the confusion and delay that allowed him to get away safely.
The Hebrew behind Judges 3:25
- "tarried" (חול, chul): This word often means to wait or delay, but it can also carry a sense of anxiety or discomfort, which fits the servants’ growing unease as they wait.
- "ashamed" (בוש, bosh): This word means to feel shame or embarrassment. The servants’ hesitation turns to embarrassment as the delay becomes awkward.
- "parlour" (עליה, aliyah): This refers to an upper room or private chamber, emphasizing that Eglon was in a secluded, important space, which made the servants even more hesitant to intrude.
- "key" (מפתח, mafteach): The mention of a physical key shows that the room was securely locked, highlighting the privacy and the dramatic moment when the locked doors are finally opened.
Why Judges 3:25 matters
- This verse explains how Ehud was able to escape after killing Eglon, as the servants’ hesitation gave him crucial time.
- The detail about the servants’ embarrassment and the locked doors adds realism and tension to the story, showing their respect for the king’s privacy and their confusion.
- The verse connects to the larger theme of God delivering Israel through unexpected means, using Ehud’s cleverness and the servants’ delay to bring about Moab’s defeat.